On Thursday, Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna faced a barrage of heckling that silenced her while she addressed the House floor, where she attributed the turmoil over an impending government shutdown to Democrats.
During her support for a stripped-down funding proposal shortly after president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk disrupted a bipartisan agreement that appeared destined for approval, Luna began her remarks by praising Trump.
“I’ve never backed a [continuing resolution], but I find myself here today because I believe in the current plan to keep our government functioning, as well as the commitments from the only president in my lifetime who has delivered on all his promises to the American populace,” she articulated, inciting boos and shouts from across the aisle.
“Hold on! I’m not finished. Show me the same courtesy we extend to you,” Luna retorted.
New York Rep. Marc Molinaro, acting as Speaker Pro Tempore, interjected.
“Let’s remind our colleagues that the lady has the floor and deserves the opportunity to speak,” he announced. “The lady deserves to be heard and should be reminded to direct her remarks to the chair.”
Luna continued, “… From the only president in my lifetime who has accomplished all his campaign commitments to the American people, pledges have been made to reduce hundreds of billions through reconciliation.”
She commended Speaker Johnson for retracting the initial shutdown proposition for a new agreement. “The proposal currently under consideration will maintain government operations for the American public, and if you opt to hinder it, the responsibility will not fall on the Republican Party,” she stated.
“We are not going to renegotiate,” Luna forecasted shortly before the vote. “This agreement stands firm. So when you return home for Christmas, be ready to explain to your constituents why you allowed the government to shut down, because we will not be accountable for it.”
This prompted further discontent among Democrats, leading to Molinaro striking the podium with his gavel, which reportedly broke.
Luna critiqued sections of the original proposal for not serving “the best interest of the American people.”
One program that was eliminated involved funding for research related to childhood cancer and other diseases.
Luna emphasized, “Thus, the proposal currently presented is final. You either support it or choose a shutdown, but the blame will rest not with the Republican Party, but with the Democrats as it stands.”
Shortly after, the Republican-led House was unsuccessful in passing the bill.
A two-thirds majority was necessary to approve the legislation, which would have prolonged federal expenditures for three additional months and suspended the debt ceiling for two years—a significant request made by Trump.
Despite having a narrow majority, not enough Republicans cast their votes to approve the bill, which would have been rejected even if only a simple majority were needed. The vote tally was 174-235.
The deadline for a government shutdown looms on Saturday, just after midnight.
